WHY TREES ARE TOPS
All trees, without exception, are good for wildlife in your garden – although some are much more wildlife-friendly than others. The London plane, for example, which is a magnificent tree to look at, apparently only supports one insect species, whereas the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) supports 284 different insect species, the white willow 200 species and beech 64.
I know some people are hesitant to plant a big tree that will live to a great age like an oak in their garden because they think that it is too ‘slow’, or that it will not truly become a ‘proper’ tree in their lifetime. This is a mistake. It will be lovely from the outset and give enormous pleasure as it grows – as well as encouraging wildlife. From the very first day trees form a complicated and specific fungal relationship with the soil as their roots grow – and although invisible to the human eye, this is an extremely important part of your garden’s ecosystem. So from day one the very smallest sapling is contributing to the wildlife of your plot.
Even very small trees like acers, grown in a pot, will provide cover for small birds and insects as well as being highly decorative. So no garden is too small for a tree and no tree is too small to plant.
10 BEST GARDEN TREES FOR WILDLIFE
OAK (Quercus robur and Q. petraea, pictured above) The best tree of all for wildlife, from large birds to gall wasps, whose larvae cause oddly shaped growths.
BEECH (Fagus sylvatica) Prefers well-drained soil. Superb as a single specimen or in hedges.
ASH (Fraxinus exelsior) Slow to come into leaf but an important native tree for birds and insects. SMALL-LEAVED LIME (Tilia cordata) An excellent tree for hard pruning and very good for insects and birds. SILVER BIRCH (Betula pendula, pictured below) Quick to establish and prefers well-drained,
somewhat poor soil. HAWTHORN (Crataegus monogyna, pictured bottom) A favourite of mine, this supports 150 species of insect and makes an excellent hedge. CRAB APPLE (Malus sylvestris) One of the most decorative of small garden trees, it’s great for insects and its fruit provides important food for birds in winter. ASPEN POPLAR (Populus tremula) Prefers moist acidic soil but is robust and associated with more than 90 insect species. ALDER (Alnus glutinosa) Needs a wet site but is very tolerant of air pollution. Good for insects. ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) Grows well in exposed positions and has clusters of berries in autumn.